Renting in Spain: documents and your rights

What landlords usually ask for

• Your DNI, NIE or passport, for the contract
• Your last 3 payslips (nóminas) and your employment contract
• Sometimes: your work history report (vida laboral) or last tax return (declaración de la renta)
• Often: a guarantor or a bank guarantee

What to cover on your documents

On your ID

Your DNI or NIE number goes into the lease, so keep it readable once you sign. On a copy, cover the support number (número de soporte) and add who the copy is for; Rent Dossier watermarks every page.

On your payslips

Cover your Social Security number (número de afiliación) and your bank account (IBAN). Your income and employer must stay readable.

What a landlord may not ask for

• Detailed bank statements with your movements
• A criminal record certificate
• More data than the landlord needs to sign the contract (GDPR)

The Spanish data protection authority (AEPD) advises against copying the DNI when less intrusive ways to identify you exist.

Sources

• Maldita.es: cómo compartir el contrato, las nóminas y tus datos al alquilar (2025)
• Xataka: la AEPD pide dejar de fotocopiar el DNI cuando no es necesario

General information, not legal advice. Checked against the sources below in October 2026.